- DHL Express and REGENT Craft sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the deployment of all-electric Seaglider vessels for sustainable cargo transport.
- The partnership will assess the integration of Seaglider technology into DHL’s regional and coastal logistics operations across the Middle East.
DHL Express and REGENT Craft, the developer and manufacturer of all-electric Seaglider vessels, have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the use of electric Seagliders for short haul, coastal, and island logistics.
REGENT’s Seaglider vessel – a next-generation maritime craft – combines the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat, offering high-speed, zero-emission transport. Through this partnership, REGENT and the global leader in international express delivery will work together to assess the potential integration of REGENT’s Seaglider vessels into DHL’s existing logistics network to extend the capabilities of its regional and coastal cargo operations.
The partnership, set to begin in January 2026, will see DHL Express explore deployment opportunities for the Seaglider vessels in the Middle East initially, followed by other key markets to pave the way for a more sustainable future of logistics.
Billy Thalheimer, Co-founder and CEO of REGENT, said: “This collaboration marks another important milestone as we build a more sustainable and connected global logistics ecosystem. Partnering with a global logistics pioneer like DHL allows us to demonstrate how Seagliders can enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and connect key trade routes across the Middle East and beyond.”
Bachi Spiga, VP Network Operations, DHL Express Middle East and North Africa, said: “At DHL Express, we are constantly exploring innovative solutions that can help us decarbonize logistics while improving efficiency and service for our customers.
REGENT’s all-electric Seaglider represents a transformative step forward in sustainable maritime transport. Through this partnership, we aim to explore how this technology can enhance our regional and global operations – starting here in the Middle East, one of the world’s most dynamic logistics hubs.”
In partnership with Strategic Development Fund (SDF), an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm and part of EDGE Group, REGENT will manufacture its electric Seagliders in the UAE starting at the end of the decade, in addition to its manufacturing facility in Rhode Island, which comes online in 2026.
The joint venture will also provide aftermarket services such as maintenance, and parts distribution, boosting local manufacturing capabilities and strengthening the UAE’s industrial base.
The partnership builds on REGENT’s work in the Middle East region, with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre having signed an MoU with REGENT in 2024, and ADNOC L&S selecting the Seaglider vessel for a proof-of-concept trial to assess the craft’s suitability for transporting personnel to and from offshore energy infrastructure earlier in 2025.
forecasts globally, according to the Global Connectedness Tracker, highlighting the region’s increasing relevance in international trade. The Tracker was recently released by DHL in partnership with New York University’s Stern School of Business, offering a data-driven view of global trade dynamics.
Strengthening the regional infrastructure is essential to sustaining this momentum and enabling high-growth sectors such as life sciences, e-commerce, and automotive. This announcement now underscores DHL’s continued investment in infrastructure, talent, and technology across the Middle East, positioning the company to meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers in one of the world’s fastest-growing logistics markets.
